A Derby ex-army medic who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder says he is devastated after a workshop he uses as his sanctuary has been trashed.

Dad Karl Griffiths spends hours in his back garden in the workshop tent to get peace when he suffers from the condition, which has blighted his life after he came out of the army, where he did three tours of Iraq.

The 33-year-old lost several close friends during the conflict and witnessed “scenes of absolute devastation” during his tours in 2003, 2004 and 2007, which has left him suffering from PTSD – an anxiety disorder caused by very frightening or distressing events.

After leaving the forces he was advised to build the workshop at a large tent in the back garden of his Allenton home, where he relaxes and makes woodwork. But burglars ripped the tent open and destroyed equipment and vandalised property, causing more than £1,000 of damage during the incident, which happened overnight between Saturday night and Sunday morning.

Mr Griffiths, of Varley Street, said: “This place means everything to me and the idea that people have been in here and trashed it all is absolutely horrific. I am on medication for post traumatic disorder and have suffered from it for a long time now. Being in the workshop was my sanctuary and my safe space. I could do my own thing. I also suffer from severe depression and anxiety because of what I have been through in Iraq.

A workshop belonging to PTSD sufferer Karl Griffiths has been trashed.

“I was a frontline medic and saw so much. I have found it difficult to cope, it’s been a nightmare. As a medic I was often the first on the scene of incidents and attacks, so I saw some horrific situations. A hobby and the workshop was suggested as a good idea to go to escape and forget about everything in my own space.

“I have been doing woodwork and using my tools - and being productive has really kept me on a level playing field. I lost really good friends in Iraq, people that I considered to be like brothers and sisters to me. I am trying my best to get back on track and for somebody to do this is terrible.

"I imagine they didn’t know they were targeting someone with PTSD and probably thought they would get more than they did. They’ve not taken anything but the psychological and physical damage they have caused to equipment is dreadful.”

The roof of the tent has been cut open, tools including drills and hammers were damaged, wood glue and oil had been emptied all over the floor and on equipment which has damaged it beyond repair.

Wooden items he was also in the process of making were also trashed. In total, he believes the damage would cost around £1,000. He is now looking to build a new workshop, but that will require thousands of pounds spending on it.

Mr Griffiths said: “Money has been tight in the last few years. I left the army a few years ago and have had three jobs since then but I have not been able to cope. I am currently unemployed but I want to get better to get a job.

“That is why the workshop was so important. It was getting me better. But now that’s gone. It will take a few months to get one back up and running and it will be a struggle.”

Dad Karl Griffiths spends hours a day in the workshop

He said he felt “physically sick” and “absolutely disgusted” when he woke to discover the workshop had been trashed. He said: “I could understand it if they had taken something. But there was no gain to any of this.

"They’ve just caused psychological and physical damage to me and my life. I imagine they were trying to find stuff to sell. I just hope they can read this and realise what they have done.”

His fiancé and carer Sam Wainwright said the incident was “selfish” and “nasty”. She added: “I was so, so angry when we realised what had happened. People need to show some respect and realise that behind their crime are real human beings with real problems. I would urge anybody who knows anything about this to please contact the police. We have got them involved. If anybody saw anything suspicious during that time then please contact them.”

A spokesman for Derbyshire police said anybody who witnessed the incident or has any information about it should call police on 101.